Pohutukawa trees a weed on West Coast, says DOC

Pohutukawa trees are considered a pest on the West Coast, according to the Department of Conservation.

The New Zealand native metrosideros excelsa, also known as mainland pohutukawa, has been listed in DoC's inventory of weed species as a medium-priority weed.

A DoC West Coast spokesman says the North Island's pohutukawa is an invasive coloniser, particularly in coastal environments where it displaces the naturally occurring ecology.